Like I said, the gameplay mode lasts just fifteen minutes, if the ISR video is to be believed. And those people who are already familiar with the style of driving needed in the game will be able to join a higher-ranked team earlier if they compete it.

The problem with that is that you run the risk of ostracising a lot of newcomers. I’ve said it several times before F1 2011 had an extreme difficulty curve, which was very nearly enough for me to return the game. A tutorial mode would have gone a long way toward fixing that.

I’m going to get on my soapbox here, so please forgive me. Anyway, this is the problem with only having one developer, and I apply this to all official sports games: a lack of choice. Going back to the late 1990s, you had several developers with the F1 license, who worked on various types of game. This ranged from hardcore sims for hardcore fans like Micropose Grand Prix 3 on the PC, to more arcade fare like F1 Racing Championship on the N64/DC/etc, with the likes of F-1 World Grand Prix straddling the divide between the two. The result was player choice and real competition between developers to make the best F1 game.

Now, though, it’s sim or bust. If you want to play a somewhat realistic game with an F1 licence, you’re out of luck. Heck, I often boot my ancient copy of F-1 World Grand Prix II because I want to race without having to devote the mental energy F1 2011 requires to compete in a practice session. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy playing F1 2011, but not after a long day when I don’t want to think too much.

Just a quick personal aside, it was F1 games which got me into F1. If it were only F1 2011 available at the time, that might not have happened.

I noticed that too, but probably it was too hard to recreate it at turn 7 – that’s at least my suggestion because it’s obviously all in-game footage. Nevertheless, I really like it too, especially the music! Really looking forward to the soundtrack again, Codies have always been ace at that.

I read that Codemasters have taken the Grand Prix mode out of the game. The only reason for them to do this is to ram that lame career mode down your (not mine, since I won’t be playing it) throats. Well done.